Photo: Paul Sableman · CC BY 2.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Kirkwood as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kirkwood gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns, #110 of 247 in Missouri. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%), then earthquakes (26%). Flood insurance has paid 123 claims here since 1979.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What stands out about Kirkwood’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Kirkwood faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Earthquakes
Hail
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Kirkwood’s grade
River and rain flooding is 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in Kirkwood, and Kirkwood’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 11%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #110 of 247 in Missouri; higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Kirkwood’s residents live in 11 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Missouri town has higher expected damage than 59% of U.S. towns; within the state, Kirkwood has less expected damage per building than 56% of Missouri towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $22.0M a year in losses across Kirkwood: $10.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Kirkwood flood? Yes: 123 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Kirkwood, from FEMA’s records: 9.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late spring severe storms3 claims · $206K
- The Early winter storms3 claims · $242K
Kirkwood isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: St. Louis County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Kirkwood
Disasters that paid out in Kirkwood itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Kirkwood), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Wildfires1 households applied for aid$10K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2022Severe Storms and Flooding34 households applied for aid$70K aid approved4 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding$28K to the City of Kirkwood for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding6 households applied for aid$2K aid approved$170K to the City of Kirkwood for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$188 aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Flooding, and a Tornado6 households applied for aid$8K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
Show all 9
- 2007Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$247K to the City of Kirkwood for repairs
- 2006Severe Winter Storms$41K to the City of Kirkwood for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms$60K to the City of Kirkwood for repairs
St. Louis County has had 30 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Kirkwood after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Kirkwood archive →Kirkwood and its neighbors
Kirkwood is 2nd of the 8 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glendale | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Kirkwood | C+more damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 123 |
| Sunset Hills | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 118 |
| Des Peres | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 24 |
| Frontenac | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 37 |
| Crestwood | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 33 |
| Oakland | C−more damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Warson Woods | C−more damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Kirkwood faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Kirkwood
Is Kirkwood at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kirkwood has higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #110 of 247 in Missouri. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%) and earthquakes (26%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Kirkwood flood?
Flood insurance has paid 123 claims in Kirkwood since 1979, $2.0M in all, or 9.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 13 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late spring severe storms (3).
Is Kirkwood in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In St. Louis County, 34% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Kirkwood?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Kirkwood’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Kirkwood?
By FEMA money that reached Kirkwood, Severe Winter Storms and Flooding (2007): $247K to the City of Kirkwood for repairs. By flood claims, Late spring severe storms: 3 paid, $206K.
Is Kirkwood at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and Kirkwood’s rate for it is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Kirkwood.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Kirkwood’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.